The New Gibson Firebird X Comes Packed with Faders, Distortion and Other FX

Gibson has always been at the forefront of guitar and instrument design for decades, though the new Firebird X hopes to push the company's legacy for innovation into overdrive. Part-guitar and part-DJing booth, this new face-melting axe comes loaded with digital sound manipulation tech, so that you can fade, cross-fade and triple-fade to your heart's content.

A simple glance at the Gibson Firebird X might leave the impression that it's an ordinary guitar -- but trust, it's anything but. Though the design maintains the traditional look of the series, the innards of the Firebird X are what set it apart. Two selectors placed at either end of the guitar allow users to choose an effect -- like echo, distortion or compression -- which in turn warps the sound of your instrument completely. Another knob on the chassis will let you loop and reverberate the strings you pluck, delivering that perfect sound that normally Prince can only achieve.

Available for a limited run starting September 30th, the Firebird X will retail at $5,570, leaving most musicians in the archaic dust of their old Fender guitars.